Which type of observation involves watching behaviors in a structured environment like a laboratory?

Controlled observation is characterized by the observation of behaviors in a structured environment, such as a laboratory. This method allows researchers to manipulate certain variables while keeping other conditions constant, enabling them to observe how these changes impact behavior in a more controlled setting. The structure of the environment helps to minimize extraneous variables that could affect the outcome, providing more reliable results.

In this format, researchers can ensure repeatability and control over the conditions of the study, which is crucial for establishing cause-and-effect relationships. For example, if a psychologist wants to study a specific behavioral response to a stimulus, they can present that stimulus in a controlled lab setting, allowing for precise measurement of responses.

Other options, like naturalistic observation, occur in real-world settings without intervention, and participatory observation involves the researcher actively engaging with the subjects, which differs significantly from the controlled environment of a lab. Systematic observation refers more broadly to a structured approach to observing specific behaviors but doesn’t necessarily imply the controlled environment of a laboratory. Thus, the correct answer distinctly emphasizes the structured nature of the setting in which the observation takes place.